This Saturday, the Side Lawn at Sunset Station will host Mighty Nerd Halen in a no-cover show starting at 8 p.m.
Founded by guitarist Caleb Rapoport, the band presents Van Halen classics through a comedic, nerdy lens with a lively performance style.
Hal Sparks, a prominent comic-musician, leads this entertaining outfit, known for their humorous take on beloved rock anthems.
The band’s signature elements include taped eyeglasses, scissor kicks, and the iconic replica of Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstrat guitar.
Rapoport’s journey has been marked by personal loss. In January, he and his family lost their home and nearly all his musical equipment in the devastating L.A. Palisades fire.
Described by Rapoport as a life-altering blow, the experience left him with profound challenges.
Within 45 minutes, he had to grab a few essential belongings, losing 95 percent of his musical gear.
He managed to bring six guitars to safety, while a heartbreaking tally of 20 other important instruments were lost in the blaze.
Family mementos, including pictures and wedding plates, were among the cherished possessions turned to ash.
“Every day is kind of a reminder about something we’ve lost,” reflected Rapoport, who is currently leasing a home in West Los Angeles.
Mighty Nerd Halen has been entertaining audiences since its formation in 2017.
The current lineup includes Sparks, Rapoport, Jeffrey Page, and Victor Brodén, and they share a diverse repertoire of Van Halen songs.
Their performances feature a mix of works from both David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar eras, with a distinctive 70-30 split, ensuring a broad appeal.
Interestingly, they have also performed tracks from the less popular Gary Cherone-era album, ‘Van Halen III,’ though those songs won’t be featured in the upcoming show.
While the comedic elements aim to entertain, Rapoport emphasizes that the band is serious about their musicality.
“We want people to see us and laugh,” he stated, “but listen to us and say, ‘Those guys can play.’”
In another event set to draw nostalgia and excitement, Sphere will present ‘Wizard of Oz’ with an unprecedented cinematic experience.
Bill Walshe, Sphere’s Executive Vice President and Global Head of Venue Operations and Development, revealed plans for displaying the classic film in spectacular fashion on a massive 160,000 square feet screen.
With 167,000 speakers, the remastered film will feature Judy Garland’s iconic performance of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ in jaw-dropping 16K resolution.
Walshe shared a cherished memory of his first theater experience with ‘Wizard of Oz,’ recalling sitting on his mother’s lap, an experience he hopes to recreate for others.
A brief technical shutdown occurred at the Golden Tiki, a popular venue in Chinatown, but it reopened promptly the next day.
The closure was related to flooring issues, which briefly left patrons in limbo.
Notably, the venue is preparing to welcome the Backstreet Boys in a unique, shrunken-head themed capacity.
In news from the literary world, Kenny Mayne, a UNLV graduate and former ESPN fixture, has been announced as the headline artist for The Composers Room set for June 27 at 7 p.m.
Mayne’s visibility in the sports landscape has attracted attention and promise for the upcoming show.
Meanwhile, a lively party was held at Eight Cigar Lounge for Michael Kaplan’s book release, titled ‘Advantage Players.’
The event featured discussions with notable figures including Heidi Fleiss, Phil Ivey, and notorious gambler Don Johnson, who famously won $15 million from Atlantic City.
Kaplan’s book offers a rare insight into the world of professional gamblers who consistently thrive where others falter, and has attracted significant interest.
Emmet, an accomplished singer, will debut his new music at The Space this weekend, performing at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.
The renowned performer was a finalist on ‘America’s Got Talent’ in 2017 and has just released his new single, ‘Faithfully.’
For more information on Emmet’s debut and to obtain tickets, visit TheSpaceLV.com.
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